General Info submitted news releases to the River Cities\' Reader. http://www.rcreader.com Sat, 25 May 2013 07:47:41 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.rcreader.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.rcreader.com General Info submitted news releases to the River Cities\' Reader. http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28955&Itemid=1007 Speak at Rock Island National Cemetery Service WHAT Congressman Dave Loebsack will join other elected officials, families and community members to honor veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation WHERE Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery TIME 10:30am   Attend Trail Dedication Memorial Day Service WHAT Congressman Dave Loebsack will attend the service to induct veterans into the Trail WHERE East Overlook picnic area on the east side of the Coralville Dam TIME 1:30pm ### Fri, 24 May 2013 20:44:21 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28952&Itemid=1007 SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) issued the following statement after the House passed concealed carry legislation on Friday:“Passing concealed carry legislation in the Illinois House today is a monumental step forward after years of deadlock and inaction in Springfield have denied citizens their basic rights. For too long, Illinois has been the only state in the nation to bar citizens from the free and proper exercise of their Second Amendment Constitutional rights. After today’s historic vote, Illinois is finally within reach of becoming the last state in the nation to allow for the concealed carry of a firearm and giving law-abiding, responsible gun owners the ability to defend themselves.“Senate Bill 2193 is a ‘shall issue’ measure that protects the rights of law-abiding gun owners to carry in the state of Illinois while preventing municipalities from enacting their own burdensome restrictions. A disjointed state law not only would infringe on citizens’ rights, but also force the burden of learning 208 towns’ guns laws on law-abiding, legally carrying citizens. “The bill we passed today is an important step in the right direction to guarantee gun owners’ rights. Clearing the House with a veto-proof majority sends the message that my colleagues are ready to respect the Second Amendment. I urge every Senator in this state to vote for this bill and send it to the governor’s desk immediately.”For more information, contact Smiddy’s office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll free at (855) 243-4988.### Fri, 24 May 2013 20:40:45 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28946&Itemid=1007 (DES MOINES) – Gov. Branstad today signed the following legislation into law: House File 119 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF119): An Act relating to County Attorney duties when representing the Department of Human Services in juvenile court. House File 586 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF586): An Act relating to the rulemaking process and state agency decision making. House File 590 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF590): An Act relating to child abuse reporting, assessment procedures, and placement on the central registry for child abuse, and including effective date and applicability provisions. House File 592 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF592): An Act relating to payments from the indigent defense fund by the State Public Defender. House File 615 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF615): An Act relating to the innovation fund investment tax credit and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. House File 632 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF632): An Act relating to the assessment of certain real estate used in the cultivation and production of algae, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. House File 641 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF641): An Act authorizing the establishment of reinvestment districts following approval of the Economic Development Authority Board, providing for the remittance of certain state sales tax revenues and certain state hotel and motel tax revenues to municipalities, establishing a state reinvestment district fund, and making appropriations. House File 644 (http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo Service=Billbook menu=false ga=85 hbill=HF644): An Act relating to enhanced E911 emergency communication systems, and providing penalties. ### Fri, 24 May 2013 20:23:55 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28943&Itemid=1007 Program provides legal consultation to domestic violence survivors CARBONDALE – May 24, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced the expansion of her virtual legal clinic program to The Cairo Women’s Shelter today. The program connects survivors of domestic violence with lawyers for a free legal consultation using webcams and high-speed Internet technology. Simon’s virtual legal clinic program connects domestic violence survivors at local shelters in underserved areas with attorneys across Illinois that specialize in family law for a single, free consultation. Legal topics for consultation include child custody and visitation, marriage and divorce, elder abuse, immigration and property issues. “The virtual legal clinics are a confidential, effective way to help domestic violence survivors ensure their safety and the safety of their families,” said Simon, a former prosecutor and founder of the domestic violence clinic at Southern Illinois University School of Law. “The legal system can seem overwhelming, but this service helps survivors take the next step toward safety and stability.” The Cairo Women’s Shelter serves Alexander, Massac, Pulaski and Union counties and sees approximately 400 survivors every year. This is the third center in Illinois to use the virtual legal clinic program, joining centers in Peoria and Jacksonville. “We’re thrilled to be part of the virtual legal clinic and to offer this free legal consultation to our clients,” said Jeannine Woods, executive director of the Cairo Women’s Shelter. “This will help survivors understand the important legal rights they have.” Nationally, one in four women has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime, and in Illinois, nearly 40 percent of women will experience domestic violence by an intimate partner. However, there are 47 counties in Illinois with no attorneys practicing family law. An additional 33 counties have five or fewer attorneys practicing family law. “The virtual legal clinics are a bridge between a survivor being in an immediate crisis and beginning to make a plan to move forward in a safe way,” said Vickie Smith, executive director of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). “Through the virtual legal clinic, we have found that just one hour of time with a licensed attorney can significantly increase a victim’s understanding and clarity of their rights and responsibilities resolving legal issues.” The project was developed by Simon’s staff, in consultation with the ICADV, with plans to continue expansion to northern Illinois this fall. “At the time of the consultation, my first client was involved in a legal battle and was fearful because she didn’t understand what was happening,” said Sandra Quello Chiz, an attorney who consults with clients from her Manteno office. “Not only did I explain to my client what was happening legally, but I was able to point her in the direction of other resources, too. The virtual legal clinic is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time, and I wish we could expand it faster.” ### Fri, 24 May 2013 20:01:23 +0100 http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28942&Itemid=1007 Iowa Supreme Court Opinions May 24, 2013 Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group. Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format). Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader. (http://www.iowacourts.gov/wfdata/files/Using_the_Adobe_Reader.doc) For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here (http://www.iowacourts.gov/common/email/). NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page. No. 11–1208 (http://www.iowacourts.gov/Supreme_Court/Recent_Opinions/20130524/11-1208.pdf) STATE OF IOWA vs. CHRISTINE ANN KERN No. 11–1448 (http://www.iowacourts.gov/Supreme_Court/Recent_Opinions/20130524/11-1448.pdf) TERRY CHRISTIANSEN vs. IOWA BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS No. 13–0128 (http://www.iowacourts.gov/Supreme_Court/Recent_Opinions/20130524/13-0128.pdf) IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. SAMUEL ZACHARY MARKS Fri, 24 May 2013 20:00:11 +0100